Critical Aquatic Habitats of Gobiid (Gobiidae and Oxudercidae) Species in Türkiye: Importance and Threats

Türkiye serves as a vital evolutionary corridor and a biodiversity hotspot for the families Gobiidae and Oxudercidae, reflecting a complex geological history associated with the ancient Paratethys. This comprehensive literature-based study evaluates 24 key aquatic ecosystems across the country to document gobiid diversity, distribution patterns, and conservation status. The assessment identifies 20 species, revealing a remarkable 35% endemism rate; notably, seven species (Knipowitschia byblisia, K. caunosi, K. mermere, K. ricasolii, Pomatoschistus anatoliae, Ponticola rizensis, and P. turani) exhibit strict micro-endemism within isolated drainage basins. Despite their evolutionary significance, Türkiye’s freshwater and brackish water gobiid populations are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic pressures, including habitat fragmentation due to dam construction, pollution, and unsustainable water extraction. Case studies underscore an alarming period for K. mermere in Lake Marmara and K. ricasolii in Lake Kocagöz, where habitats are nearing total desiccation. Furthermore, the rapid expansion of the invasive Rhinogobius lindbergi in the Upper Aras drainage represents an emerging biological threat. This study emphasizes the urgent need for integrated conservation strategies to safeguard these unique evolutionary lineages, which serve as essential ecological indicators for the health of Türkiye’s aquatic ecosystems.